Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact for Field Release of the Calophya latiforceps (: ) and Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) for Classical Biological Control of Brazilian peppertree () at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida August 23, 2021

Proposed Action and Alternatives: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wildlife Refuge System will allow the environmental release of two insects, Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) and Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) at Arthur R. Marshall (A.R.M.) Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The agents will be used for the classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia; Anacardiaceae). Before allowing the release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini, the USFWS must analyze the potential impacts of the release of this organism onto refuge lands. The USFWS has adopted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) C. latiforceps and P. ichini combined Environmental Assessment (EA) that analyzed the potential environmental consequences of this action within the continental U.S (USDA 2019). The EA analyzed five alternatives in response to a request for permits authorizing environmental release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini: (A.) no action, (B.) issue permits for the environmental release of C. latiforceps, (C.) issue permits for the environmental release of P. ichini, and (D.) issue permits for the environmental release of both C. latiforceps and P. ichini for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree (S. terebinthifolia). A fifth alternative to allow release with special provisions or requirements concerning release procedures or mitigating measures, was also considered. This last alternative was dismissed because no issues were raised during the initial public comment period that indicated special provisions or requirements would be necessary. The No Action alternative, as described in the EA, would likely result in the continued expansion of Brazilian peppertree populations not only on the refuge, but across the Everglades landscape where it is currently estimated to infest over 280 hectares (~1 million acres) in central and south Florida alone (Cuda et. al. 2006). Brazilian peppertree is thought to infest at varying density levels approximately 5,000 acres in the refuge interior, Strazzulla Marsh, and on adjacent buffer lands. Without biological control options, the refuge would continue to rely heavily on costly chemical and mechanical control methods for management of Brazilian peppertree. Not only would this be a blow to Everglades restoration, but refuge native plant and wildlife diversity and abundance would continue to be negatively impacted by ever- increasing Brazilian peppertree infestations. The Finding of No Significant Impact (USDA 2019) recognized the advantages to the use of the added control measures with no significant impacts as compared to the No Action alternative. The addition of biological control options for Brazilian peppertree would support other control methods currently being used for Brazilian peppertree management. The control methods described in the USDA analysis are not alternatives for decisions to be made by APHIS but are presently being used to control Brazilian peppertree on the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR and may continue regardless of field release(s) for C. latiforceps and P. ichini.

Public Review: Notice of the USDA EA was made available in the Federal Register on February 27, 2019, for a 30-day public comment period. APHIS received 129 comments on the EA. Most comments (120) were in favor of the release of the biological control agents. Nine comments were either not in favor of or raised concerns regarding the release of the two agents. The final EA contained written responses to the comments received on the draft EA in Appendix 7 (USDA 2019).

The Service is providing a 30-day review and comment period for its Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) along with the USDA EA and USDA FONSI attached for reference. Copies of all the relevant documents were made available on-line on the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR website . Interested parties and individuals were advised to direct comments to the refuge’s general e-mail address: [email protected] . In addition, hard copy correspondence could be mailed directly to the office. Additionally, a short summary of the proposed action was posted on the refuge’s Facebook page, and as a courtesy, notification was provided via letter directly to the five Florida Native American Tribal bands for the opportunity to comment.

Selected Action: Alternative D. – Issue permits for the environmental release of both C. latiforceps (Brazilian peppertree leaf-galling psyllid) and P. ichini (Brazilian peppertree thrip) for the classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree (S. terebinthifolia).

Refuge Goals, Objectives and Resources: The purposes of the refuge and the mission of the Refuge System are fundamental to determining the goals and objectives of proposed management actions for the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR. Both the Refuge System mission and the purposes of the refuge include habitat restoration by using a multitude of approved and proven management tools including invasive species treatment. The mission of the Refuge System is “to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans” (National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997). The purposes of A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR are: “… for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for other management purposes, for migratory birds” (Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929, 16 U.S.C. § 715d), and “… shall be administered by him [Secretary of the Interior] directly or in accordance with cooperative agreements…and in accordance with such rules and regulations for the conservation, maintenance, and management of wildlife, resources thereof, and its habitat thereon...” (Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. § 644). A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR’s Comprehensive Conservation Plan (Goal 1. Wildlife Habitat and Population Management) identifies the strategy of developing eradication and control programs for invasive and exotic species (USFWS 2000). The refuge currently conducts extensive and costly (in staff time, capacity, equipment, chemicals, and maintenance support) invasive plant species removal, primarily Brazilian peppertree, through mechanical, physical, cultural, chemical, and biological controls means when available. For land managers in Florida, Brazilian peppertree control efforts are a part of standard operations and have been for years.

Finding of No Significant Impact: I have decided to authorize the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR to allow the environmental release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini. The reasons for my decision are: • This biological control agent is sufficiently host-specific and poses little, if any, threat to the biological resources of the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR. • C. latiforceps and P. ichini are not likely to adversely affect federally listed threatened and endangered species or their critical habitats on the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR. • C. latiforceps and P. ichini pose no threat to the health of humans or wild or domestic . • Negative cumulative impacts are not expected from release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini. • There are no disproportionate adverse effects to minorities, low-income populations, or children in accordance with Executive Order 12898 ''Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-income Populations'' and Executive Order 13045, ''Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks.'' • The use of a biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree is consistent with, and supports, integrated pest management for control of invasive plants as required by Department of Interior Policy 517 DM 1 (Integrated Pest Management Policy) and USFWS policy 569 FW 1 (Pest Control). In accordance with these policies, the use of biocontrols would likely reduce pesticide usage on refuge lands to control Brazilian peppertree and achieve resource management objectives. The USFWS has determined that the introduction of C. latiforceps and P. ichini outside the historic range is essential for the control of Brazilian peppertree. • Although there is not total assurance that the release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini into the environment will be reversible, there is no evidence this organism will cause any adverse environmental effects. • The release of C. latiforceps and P. ichini for the biological control of Brazilian peppertree is consistent with USFWS policy (601 FW 3, Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health [BIDEH]) and supports the pursuit of BIDEH by eliminating unnatural biotic and abiotic features and processes not necessary to accomplish refuge purpose(s). Introductions of C. latiforceps and P. ichini is essential for control of Brazilian peppertree, thus satisfying USFWS policy (601 FW 3.14). • Use of a biological control agent for Brazilian peppertree is consistent with the purposes of the establishment of A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR, the requirements of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997; and other applicable statues, regulations and policies governing management of national wildlife refuges, including the Endangered Species Act. • The actions and effects that could occur on the A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR have been fully analyzed herein and are consistent with those in the EA, which covers the surrounding landscapes. An Environmental Impact Statement must be prepared if implementation of the proposed action may significantly affect the quality of the human environment. I have determined that there would be no significant impact to the human environment from the implementation of either of the action alternatives and, therefore, no Environmental Impact Statement needs to be prepared.

______David Viker Date Assistant Regional Director National Wildlife Refuge System

Supporting References:

Cuda, J.P., A.P. Ferriter, V. Manrique and J.C. Medal (ed.). 2006. Florida’s Brazilian peppertree management plan (2nd Edition). Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, Brazilian peppertree Task Force, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2016. Biological assessment for the proposed release of a leaf-galling psyllid, Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia, (Anacardiaceae) in the contiguous United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Riverdale, MD, 173 pp.

USDA. 2017. Biological assessment for the proposed release of a thrips, Pseudophilothrips ichini, (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia, (Anacardiaceae) in the contiguous United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Riverdale, MD, 156 pp.

USDA. 2019. Environmental Assessment: Field release of the insects Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) and Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in the contiguous United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Riverdale, MD, 93 pp.

USDA. 2019. Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact for field release of the insects Calophya latiforceps (Hemiptera: Calophyidae) and Pseudophilothrips ichini (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) for classical biological control of Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in the contiguous United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. Riverdale, MD, 2 pp.

USDA. 2019. Permit to move live plant pest, noxious weeds and soil. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service: Permit No. P526P-19-02417. Riverdale, MD, 4 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2000. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA, 362 pp.